Electronic accounting machine



Jan. 2, 1951 R. L. PALMER ETAL ELECTRONIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1944 INVENToRs /PALPH L. PALME/2 15x/,QON f. ,0f/54,05

' ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1951 R. x.. PALMER ETAL 2,535,955

ELECTRONIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 EL ff? L; R39@ L; A2470/ INVENTORS RALPH DA/ MER @R0/V 5 PHE/.p5

ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1951 R. l.. PALMER ETAL ELECTRONIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 27, 1944 xNvENTORs RAL/DH FIG.

Jam 2, 1951 R. L. PALMER ETAL 2.,536955 ELECTRONIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1944 8 Shees-Sheet '7 /57 ORDER 0F ACC.

FIG. c5 c.

INVENTORS RALPH L. PAL/WE@ @OQO/V E. PHE/ ps ATTORNEY Jan. 2, 1951 R. L. PALMER ETAL 2,536,955

ELECTRONIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1944 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ZN@ OPH/:7? Ola/ICC.

FROM CAR/9) OUTPUT 0F 67h' 019051? OfACC.

fom @P05/P 0f Acc.

CARRY OPERA 7'5 POWER SUPPL Y /60 :IFIGQ ma Patenied Jan. 2, i951 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE ELECTRNIC ACCOUNTING MACHINE Raiph L. Palmer, Binghamton, and Byron E.

Pheips, Endicott, N. assignors to linternationai `Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. EZ., a-corporation of New York Application Eecember 27, 1944, Seria-i No. 569,992

12 Glaizns. l

This invention relates to accounting or computing machines of the type employing electronic counters, that is, counters which comprise electrical networks including electronic tubes, the networks being so constituted as to undergo various predetermined changes in state, in response to the entry of values, the diierent states of the network representing different values. Such counters are customarily composed of chains of trigger circuits, each trigger circuit having two stable conditions which it assumes alternately on receiving a voltage impulse of the right characteristics. Such a counter is inherently binary in character.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to adapt this type of counter to the decimal system and to employ such counters in an electronic computing device.

Another object is to provide a novel combination of a counter embodying such electronic trigger circuits for selectively registering entered values and electronic readout means for electronically beating said trigger circuits to read out the value entered therein.

Another Object is to provide an impulse emitter of such high speed as to utilize the rate-ofcounting possibilities of the counter.

Another object is to combine the emitter with the counter so as to function both for readin and readout.

Another object is to combine an electronic accumulator with a recording mechanism sothat amounts recorded are read into the accumulator, which then controls the recording mechanism to record a result of computation.

A specic object of the invention is to provide a machine which will record a plurality of numbers in succession, digit by digit, algebraically totalizing the numbers in an electronic accumulator and thereupon recording the total, digit by digit, under control of the accumulator.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a cross-footing punch having an electronic accumulator which accumulates the values punched and finally automatically controis the punch to pcrforate the result of the computation.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa simplied vertical sectional View of the punch.

Fig. 2 is a face view of a portion of a perforated card.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the punch.

ig. 4 is a vertical section of the punch board.

Fig. 5 is a voltage diagram relating to the trigger circuit.

6 is a circuit diagram of an electronic counter forming one order of the accumulator.

Fig. 6a is a block diagram of a modified eleotronic counter.

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram of the emitter.

Figs. 8a to 8d are four parts oi the complete circuit diagram of the apparatus and should be arranged in vertical sequence.

igs. 9 and lo are curves showing the voltage on the control grids of the emitter sequence tubes, and on the emitter output terminal respectively, in relation to time.

Some of the more specic features of the invention relate to a cross-iooting punch, which has therefore been chosen to illustrate the principle of the invention, but other features have a wider .applic-ation. The punch shown in the vdrawing is of a well known type, commonly re- `ierred to as the International duplicating punch. Its construction is shown in a number of patents, including Lee et al. Patent 1,976,618 and Knutsen 2,616,686. A separate keyboard is provided, like the one shown in Shafer gatent 2,315,741, in Fig. 8, and the lower right hand corner of Fig. 1.

A portion of one of the cards which can be perforat d on this type of machine is shown in Fig. 2. The area of the card is sub-divided into vertical columns of index point positions. rhere are eighty columns in a full card and twelve index point positions in each column, one column being used for each digit of a number to be recorded. The index point positions pertaining, respectively, to the ten digits O, l 9 are indicated at the right side of the card in Fig. 2. The two upper index point positions are used for purposes which need not be referred to here. The portion of the card shown is divided by vertical lines 2Q into three diiirent fields. En the left hand or eld A comprising columns 52 to 60, the number 401,250,549 is recorded by perforations and printed characters. The middle field, or eld B comprising columns Sl to t9, contains the number 425,354. The right hand field, or field C comprising columns 'i to B, contains 3.. theY sum of the rst two numbers, namely, 0401675903. With the machine now to be described, the left hand and middle elds are punched in succession, column by column, beginning with column 52, by manual operation oi the keyboard. The numbers are added in the accumulator, order by order, as the keys are operated. When the card enters column 'lil position, automatic perforation of the total, column by column, takes place under control of the accumulator, which is read out order by order and reset to zero condition. The numbers are not printed at the top of the card by this machine but are shown in the figure to interpret the periorations.

THE PUNCH CONSTRUCTION In the drawing of the present application, only the parts of the punch which will be required to explain the invention are shown. There are twelve punches lil (Figs. 1 and 3) arranged in a line and spaced apart in accordance with the vertical index point spacing of the record card. The punches are guided by a block ll and coact with a die block I2 to perforate the record card Cd, which is ed between the blocks il and I2 by a pusher i3 mounted on a ratchet bar lil. The pusher and ratchet bar wi l be referred to herein as a card carriage. rIhe punches are held in retracted position by individual springs l5 interposed between seats in the guide block I l and the v heads i8 of their respective punches. Each punch nected by a bell crank lever 23 and a link 24 to an armature 25 pivoted on a stationary pin 25.

The armature is operated by a punch magnet 38. Each interposer is connected by a related bell crank lever 3l to a stem 32, which can be depressed by an individual lever 33 having secured H thereto an armature 3 operated by a related punch selector magnet 85. When any magnet 35 is energized, the interposer il pertaining thereto executes a movement to the left, so that its top edge lla is positioned under the depressing bar I8. In moving to the left the interposer rocks a bail 86 to which is pivotally connected a hooked arm 3?, the hook of which engages under the lower spring of a pair of contacts 38. As will be described later in connection with the wiring diagram, closure of contacts 38 completes a circuit to energize the punch magnet 38.

Consequently, the energization of any selector magnet 85 is followed by the energization of the punch magnet 38, which rocks the plate I8 downward, so that the depressing bar i8, acting through the end of the operated interposer, pushes the reated punch through the card. The link 2d has xed to it a lug 89 which knocks oir" the hook 8? from the lower contact 38 when the armature 25 swings to the right, allowing the contacts 88 to open and break the circuit of the punch magnet 88.

Escapement.-After each column of the record card is punched, the ratchet bar lli is allowed to move a distance of one column width to the left, to position the next column of the record card under the punches. It is urged in this direction by a spring drum 2'? (Fig. 3) acting through a gear 28 meshing with the teeth on the bottom of the ratchet bar. The movement of the ratchet bar is controlled by a well known form of escapement mechanism fully disclosed in the above mentioned patents. It includes a stepping dog 48 and a locking dog d8, which can be alternately brought into engagement with the ratchet bar lli by an escapement operating mechanism. The latter includes a rock shaft di having fixed to it a cross arm d3 bearing at its two ends pins :itl and 45 providing connection with the stepping and locking dogs, respectively. The stepping dog is pivoted on the shaft 4| by a loose connection which permits it to move to the right, under the influence of a spring d6, when released from the ratchet bar.

The shaft 4l also has fixed to it a bail 50 (Fig. 1), from the cross bar 58a of which extends upwardly a nger 58h bearing against the bottom of the plate lll. Each time the plate I9 is depressed to periorate a column of the card and then raised when the punch magnet 38 is deenergized, the cross arm 43 is rocked counterclockwise, then clockwise, and the dogs are alternately engaged with the ratchet bar I4. When the locking dog engages it holds the ratchet bar substantially without movement, as the stepping dog is disengaged and escapes to a position above, and in front of, the next tooth. When the stepping dog is engaged and the locking dog is released, which occurs just before the punch reaches its normal position clear of the card, the ratchet bar escapes to the left for one tooth space, which causes a movement of the card for one column width.

A pair of contacts 41, referred to herein as the oating cam contacts, is opened by an arm 42 pivoted on the shaft di Vand raised by the stepping dog 48 as soon as the latter begins to be disengaged from the ratchet bar Hl and is held open until the stepping dog returns to full engagement with the ratchet bar. 'I'he closure of the contacts il is timed to occur after the hook 3l has become reengaged with the lower spring of contacts 38 (see Patent 1,976,618, page Zl, lines 78-118). The function of the floating cam contacts in relation to this invention will become apparent later on.

Keyboard- The keyboard controlling the punch selector magnets 35 is shown in Fig. 4. There are thirteen keys 5l (only three appearing in Fig, L1), one for each index point position and a space key. Each key operates an individual linkage comprising a4 bell crank 52, a slider 58, and a bell crank 58, to close a related pair or" key contacts 55. A bail 58 operated by any slider 53 rocks a bell crank 57 to close a pair of bail contacts 58. In the wiring diagram (Fig. 8a) the twelve index point contacts 55 are individually identied by the numbers 0 to 12 and the spacing contacts by the letter S.

A stationary panel 8i extends upward behind the bed over which the cards are fed and is provided with two sets of column contacts 82 and 83 over which travel upper brushes 84 and Vlower brushes 85 mounted on a holder secured to a. supporting arm 88 attached to the ratchet bar lll. Each column contact is connected to an individual plug hub 8l. The upper brushes 64 are secured in a metal block 68 in which is also mounted a brush 58 which travels on a continuous strip 18. The lower brushes 85 are similarly mounted in a metal block 'H having a brush 12 bearing on a second continuous strip 73. The metal blocks 58 and 'il are secured to a bar of insulating material 'lli attached to the arm 68.

The column readout mechanism just described serves to couple an impulse emitter to the particular order` of the accumulator corresponding to the column being punched (and also to close various control circuits, as will appear more fully hereinafter). The emitter is controlled by the keys l so that each time a key is operated a number of impulses is emitted equal to the value oi the key operated. The order of the accumulator connected to the emitter at the time by the column readout mechansm counts the impulses and takes a new setting indicative of the number of impulses counted. rlhe accumulator is composed of ten orders, each order being constituted by an impulse counter, which will be referred to herein as an electronic counter, because it is an electrical circuit in which electronic tubes are used as the impulse responsive instrumentalities.

ELECTRONIC COUNTER The electronic counter constituting one order of the accumulator is of the type as described and claimed in the div'sional application of Byron E. Phelps, Serial No. 654,175 led March 13, lS/l, is shown schematically in Fig. 6. This counter comprises series ci interconnected trigger circuits A, E, C and DI separated by dot-and-dash lines in Ffg. 6. The principle of operation of counter circuits of this class is well known (see,

ior instance, a paper by Liischutz and Lawson in Review of Scientific Instruments, for March 1938, page 3). Input impulses to be counted are impressed upon the rst stage of the counter. On each second impulse received, the first stage passes an impulse to the second stage. ter passes an impulse to the third stage on each alternate impulse received from the rst stage, and so on through the series. The frequency of the input impulses is thus divided according to the function where n equals the number of stages. The third stage will pass `an impulse to the fourth stage when the eighth impulse is received by the rst stage, then tie fourth stage will pass an impulse at the sixteenth impulse to be counted.

This system, in its known forms, is not directly suited for the decimal system and has been modified, in accordance with the present invention to cause the counter to count eight impulses and two additional impulses before passing an output impulse. The two additional impulses may be counted before the eight impulses are counted, for example, or after the eight impulses are counted. Two means for accomplishing this resuit will be described presently, by way of illustration.

Trigger circuit- The individual trigger circuits operate according to a novel principle, which will be explained by reference to stage A in Fig. 6. Values of applied voltages, resistances, and capacitances are stated in the specication, in order to clarity the illustration, but they may be varied considerably Without departing from the principles to be explained. The values given limit the speed of operation of the counter to Ripoll-20,090 impulses per second, but the speed can be increased by suitable alteration of the circuit components.

The trigger circuit comprises two electronic tube elements, which may conveniently be the two halves of a twin tube, such as a 12SN'7, or they may be two 6J5s. Some features of the in- The latvention are particularly concerned with trodes, which have for this reason been shown in the drawing, but other features of the invention are not limited to triodes. In this specification each element comprising a plate, cathode, and one or more grids is called a tube. The cathodes 19 are connected to a zero potential line 0, while the plates are connected to a +140 volt line 8l, through equal resistances S2 and 834-8@ The resistance 82 is shown as a single resistance of .02 meghom while the resistances 83 and 84 are of .G05 and 0.15 inegohm, respectively, an output lead 85 being connected to an output terminal 85a between the latter twcresistances. The plate 86 of tube A2 is connected by a lead 81 to one end of a voltage divider composed of two resistances 86 and 90, each of .2 megohm, the other end of the voltage divider being connected to a -92 volt bias line 9i. The grid t9 of tube Al is connected 'to the mid-point of the voltage divider 88, 90. A condenser 92 of .001 inicrofarad is connected in parallel to the resistance The plate 86 of the tube Al is connected in the same way by a lead 8l to one end of a voltage divider 38a, Sila, the other end of which is connected to another 92 volt bias line 93, to be referred to as the cancel bias line. The grid 8S of tube A2 is connecte-d to the mid-point of the voltage divider Sta, a. A condenser sia of .031 microfarad is connected in parallel to resistance aua. The grids of both tubes are further coupled by individual condensers 9d ol .0G05 inicrofarad, and a wire St, to an input terminal 95; that is, the input terminal is connected to the front plates of the condensers 9G and the grids Se are connected to the rear plates. The volt line Sl is connected through a resistance Sl of .005 inegohm to the input terminal 95. A resistance 98 of .G27 megohm and a switch 99 are shown for connecting the input terminal 95 to the 0 volt line 89, but these are merely representative of certain impulsing instruinentalities to be described later on.

The trigger circuit has two stable conditions, in one of which the tube AI is conductive, while in the other the tube A2 is conductive. When either tube is conductive, the other is biased below cutoff. An impulse having the right characteristics applied to the input terminal S5 will cause the circuit to reverse from either stable condition to the other. The small circle near the tube A2 indicates that this tube is conductive in the normal or 0 state of the counter. When the trigger circuit so reverses to the right, that is, the right hand tube A2 becomes conductive, an effective impulse is transmitted to the next stage, as will be explained presently. For this reason the right hand tube of each stage is called the transmitting tube while the left hand one is called the counting tube. A single stage of the counter is said to be off when it is in normal condition, with the transmitting tube conducting, and on when reversed.

The voltage drop from plate to cathode of one of these tubes when it is conducting current in the circuit is about 40 volts, hence the potential at the plate of tube A2, in the normal condition of the trigger circuit, is +40 volts. The mid-point 89a of the voltage divider 88, Si) is therefore at -26 volts potential. Since the tube cuts off at a grid potential of 8 volts, this tube is non-conductive.

If the potential of the plate of the tube Al and of the grid 89 of tube A2 were determined only by the voltage drops across the voltage divider 82, 88a, Ella, by Ohms law, the potential a,5ee,955

of this plate would be +129 volts, and the potential of the grid 89 of tube A2 would be +19 volts. However, when the tube A2 is conducting, due to a positive grid potential, grid current ows and reduces the potential of the grid of A2 to approximately zero volts, and this draws the potential of the plate of A| down to about +127 volts. In this state the potential drop across the condenser 92 is 66 volts, while the condenser 92a is charged by a potential of 127 volts. The input terminal 95, with the switch SS open, has a potential of +140 volts. If the switch is now closed, current will flow through the resistances 97 and 98 and the potential of the input terminal will drop by about 22 volts. This negative impulse applied through the condensers 94 to the grids of the tubes A| and A2 will reduce the potential of the former to -48 volts and the potential of the latter to -22 volts.

Since both halves of the trigger circuit have the same time constant their condensers will reach 90% discharge at the same time, but because the tube A2 has been cut oli by this negative impulse its plate potential jumps to a high value and causes the potential of the grid of tube A| to rise much more rapidly than that of the grid of the tube A2. Thus, although the former starts from a lower potential, it rises above the cut-olic potential ahead of the latter and the tube A| becomes conductive. The potential of the plate of Vthis tube drops sharply, driving down the potential of the grid of the tube A2, so that it cannot rise to the cut-off potential.

Fig. 5 is a diagram sketched from curves of grid voltage indicated by an oscilloscope. The 'curve liil represents the potential of the grid of the tube which is non-conductive when the negative impulse arrives; the curve |92 represents the potential of the grid ci the other tube. The negative impulse at time To depresses both potentials equally (to about half the theoretical negative peak if the wave front were vertical), then the curve lili rises sharply, reaching the cut oit potential, -8 volts, ahead of the curve |92. When this occurs the curve |92 turns down, away from the line l 92a along which it would otherwise have moved. Ater reaching a negative peak of about 80 volts the curve |92 rises toward its stable value of -25 volts. The curve IBI reaches a positive peak of about +7 volts, where it leaves the curve liia, along which it would have traveled if its rise were not checked by grid current and subsides to about +A volts. The trigger circuit has reversed.

When the switch 99 is opened, the potential at terminal 95 will rise and a positive voltage impulse of about 22 volts will be transmitted through the condensers Sli of stage A to the grids of tubes Al and A2. This tends to bring the potential on the grid of tube A2 from -26 to +4, but at the same time the potential on the plate of tube Al drops, due to the rise in the grid potential of tube A! and this drop of the plate potential of tube A! holds the potential on the grid of tube A2 below the conducting point, -8 volts; in fact, actually drives said potential more negative. Therefore, only the negative impulse will .reverse the trigger, and the auxiliary means,

such as a coupling tube, usually required to enable a triode trigger circuit to discriminate between positive and negative impulses, is dispensed with.

Each of the stags B, C and D contains all of the basic features of the trigger circuit A described above. The output terminal 85a of trigger A is coupled by the lead and condensers 9&3 to the grids 89 of tubes Bl and B2 and also by an extension of said lead and a condenser 94 to the grid 89 of tube D2. An output terminal H55 in the voltage divider 83, 34 of stage B is coupled by a lead |06 and condensers 94 to the grids 89 of tubes Cl and C2. An output terminal |97 in the voltage divider 83, 84 of stage C` is coupled by a lead |98 and condenser 94 to the grid 89 of tube DI.

Stage B has, in addition to the basic trigger circuit, a locking tube B3, the plate of which is connected directly to the plate of the tube B2. The grid of the tube B3 is connected through a resistor |99, of .5 megohm, to the mid-point of a voltage divider comprising resistances H9 and each of .5 megohm. One terminal of this voltage divider is connected by a wire M2 to the plate of tube DI, while the other terminal is connected to the -92 volt lead Si. The mid-point of the voltage divider H9, ill is also coupled through a small condenser H3 of .06015 microiarad, and a wire H4, to the plate of tube D2. The small Acircles at the right of the tubes A2, B2, B3, C2, and D2 indicate that these tubes are conductive in the normal, or zero, condition of the counter. The counter can be restored to this condition by disconnecting the cancel bias wire 93 from the -92 volt supply, by means to be described presently.

When, in the course of entering a number in the counter, the second impulse is applied to the input terminal e5 and transfers trigger A back to the right, the point 85a. drops from a potential of +137 volts to a potential of +115 volts. The drop in potential thus applied to the lead t5 is transmitted through the condenser 94 of the tube B2 and depresses the potential 0f the grid ci that tube below cut-off, but since the tube B3 is conducting, its plate is maintained at a potential of +40 volts and the grid of tube Bl is thereby prevented from rising above the cut-off potential, in accordance with curve liil of Fig. 5. The same negative impulse imparted to the lead S5 is transmitted to the grid of tube D2 and transfers the trigger D to the left. The potential of the plate of tube Dl and at the top of the voltage divider i9, falls, but at the same time the potential on the plate of the tube D2 rises and this rise is transmitted through the wire H4 and condenser H3 to the mid-point H5 of the voltage divider Ilil, and holds the grid of tube B3 above cut-off potential, until the second input impulse applied to the terminal 95 has ended.

The tube B3 is thereby maintained in a conductive state during this time and locks the trigger B against transferring, but as soon as the charge leaks off the condenser ||3 the point H5 assumes a potential determined by the voltage divider lil, il and the tube B3 is cut off. The resistance |99 opposes grid current in the tube B3 and allows the point H5 to swing suiciently positive to provide the necessary time delay to prevent the tube B3 from being cut of until the end of the second input impulse. The time delay terminates early enough to allow the tube B3 to become non-conductive before the fourth input impulse arrives. The fourth input impulse nds the tube B2 free of the influence oi the tube B3, so that the potential on its plate rises toward its maximum value as the negative impulse applied to its grid renders the tube nonconductive. Therefore, the fourth input impulse transfers stage B to the left. The sixth impulse lead l Il' to a carry circuit soon to be described. i

The counter circuit itself is restored to zero condition by the tenth impulse and is ready to count further impulses. The complete sequence of conditions of the counter circuit vis shown in the following table, in which X indicates the conductive state:

Al B1 B3 C1 D1 X 1 X X 2 X 3 X X 4 X X 5 X X X 6 X X 7 X X X 8 X X X 9 X X X X The counter circuit just described and` shown in Fig. 6 counts two impulses and then eight impulses. Fig. 6a illustrates how, by a simple modification of the circuit, the counter can be made. to count eight impulses and then two impulses, the second one of the two impulses causing an` output impulse from the counter. Fig. 6a: is a block diagram representing a series ofv trigger circuits, which is assumed to be composed of the same elements, connected in the saine way, as in Fig. 6, except for certain. alterations in the interstage connections, to be referred to. This counter circuit comprises four stages A, B, C and D. The two tubes of each stage and related wires Within each stage are represented by rectangles, Ai, A2, BI, B2, etc., the stage B having a third rectangle, B3, repreenting a locking tube. The small circles show the normal or zero state of the counter; that is, they indicate that the right hand tube of each stage is normally conducting. The locking tube of stage B is normally non-conducting, since the right hand tube of stage D is normally conducting and, in this modification of Fig. 6c through wire l 20., the potential of the plate of this tube, which is depressed by the conductive state of the tube, acts through the resistance Il@ to hold the i grid of the locking tube B3 below the cut-olf potential.

The rst eight impulses cause the counter circuit to pass through a normal series of change the eighth impulse causing a carry impulse to be transmitted from the output of the tube C2 tc the grid of the tube D2, which reverses the trigger circuit D. The rise in potential of the plate of tube DE is transmitted through wire tending to raise the potential of the grid ci tube B3. A negative impulse transmitted from the plate of tube Di, which has now become conductive, through wire iiffia, and condenser 'temporarily holds down the potential of the ygrid of tube B3, until the condenser ii-B is discharged. The tube B3 then becomes conductive and ioclrs in right hand condition. The action is identical to that previously described in reference to Fig. 6.

When two more impulses follow, the second of such impulses is transmitted from tube A2 to both 'tubes of stage B and also to the tube D! only of trigger D. At this time the locking tube B3 is conductive and stage B cannot respond to the impulse; it remains in its normal state shown in Fig. 6a. rThe impulse transmitted to tube DI, on the other hand, reverses stage D to its normal state and causes an output impulse to be sent through the output wire Il?. The entire counter circuit is then in its normal state, with all the trigger circuits transferred to the right and the locking tube B3 non-conducting. The complete sequence of conditions of the counter in Fig. 6a is shown in the following table:

Al Bl B3 C1 Dl 0 l X 2 X 3 X X 4 X 5 X X 6 X X 7 X X X 8 X X 9 X X X The two circuits shown in Figs. 6 and 6a are illustrative of how a binary counter can be modified, in accordance with the invention, to count by the decimal system, which is the most useful modification. The principle can be applied, however, to counting in other systems. For example for duodecimal counting the locking tube can be annexed to stage C and the output impulses of stage B instead of stage A, sent to stage D, to reverse the latter in one direction. The prin ciple oi operation is characterized by the fact that a higher stage controls an intermediate stage to prevent response to certain impulses, thereby modifying the normal binary sequence. Also, the highest stage is made to execute its complete cycle in two steps, one of which is determined by the transmission of an operating impulse from the next lower stage, which turns the highest stage in one direction, While the other is determined by the transmission of an operating impulse from a stage further down in the series, which turns the highest stage in the other direction.

By assuming diiferent permutations of On and Oli conditions for the various stages, such permutations can selectively represent any chosen value entered into any particular group of stages.

THE CARRY CIRCUITS The output terminal i i5 is coupled through the lead lll' and a condenser et to the grid of tube E2 (see Fig. 8c, first order of accumulator) which constitutes the right half of a 'carry trigger circuit E, substantially like the counter trigger circuits. The grid oi the tube El is coupled through a condenser S4 to the 0 volt line 8S. The lower end oi the grid voltage divider 38a, Qta of tube is connected to another -92 volt cancel bus MS. The small circle next to the tube E2 indicates that this tube is normally conductive. When a carry impulse is impressed upon the grid of the tube the 'carry trigger E transfers to the left. Associated with the carry trigger circuit is a triode F, the grid of which is connected to an intermediate point li or" a voltage divider composed of two resistances 22 and |23 of .5 and .19 megohm, respectively, connected between plate of tube E2 and the 92 volt lead 9i. The plate of the tube F is connected through a Voltage divider 11 |24, |25 to the +140 volt line 8|. A carry transfer terminal |26 at the mid-point of the voltage divider is connected by a lead |21 to the input terminal S of the second order of the accumulator (Fig. 8d). rThe potential on the grid of tube F is considerably below cut-off when the tube E2 is conducting. When the trigger E transfers to the left, the plate potential of the tube E2 rises and lifts the potential of the grid of tube F to just below the point at which the tube becomes conductive. The carry circuit remains in this condition, after receiving a carry impulse through its counter outp-ut lead ii?, until the carry operate time to be described presently.

The `counters and carry circuits of all ten orders are identical and the carry transfer terminal |26 of each of the first to ninth orders is connected by a lead i2? to the input terminal 95 of the next higher order. The tenth order also has a carry transfer terminal 12e, the function of which will be described later.

Carry operata-A carry operate trigger circuit G is shown in Fig. 8d. This trigger circuit is similar to those previously described and has associated with it a power tube I-I, such as a L6. rlhe grid of tube Gi is Acoupled through a condenser Sli to the +140 volt line 9| while the grid of tube G2 is coupled through a condenser 9d to the zero volt line Se. The lower end of the grid voltage divider 80a, esa of tube G2 is connected through normally closed contacts RSM to the 92 volt bias line 0|. The plate of tube G2 is connected through a voltage divider |28, |29 to the 92 volt bias line 9i and the control grid of tube I-I is connected to an intermediate point |30 of this voltage divider. The plate and screen grid of tube H are connected to the +140 volt line 8|, the former through a resistance i3! of .0025 megohm, the latter thro-ugh a resistance |32 of .0004 megohm. A bus wire |33 connected to the plate of tube H has nine branches |32 connected, respectively, through resistances |35 of .5 megohm each to the points |2| to which are connected the grids of the F tubes of orders one to nine.

In contradistinction to the other triggers, the left hand tube Gi of the trigger G and the power tube H are normally conductive, as indicated by the adjacent small circles. When the relay R31 is energized at a certain time in the operation oi the machine, as will be described later, its contacts Rla open and the potential of the grid of tube G2 rises and transfers the trigger G to the right. The plate potential of the tube G2 drops and depresses the potential on the grid of tube H sufficiently to cut oli this tube. The plate potential of the tube H, which is held down to about volts while the tube is conducting, rises to +140 volts, allowing the bus wire |33 to assume this voltage which renders conductive the tube F of any order in which its trigger E has been transferred to the left by a carry impulse. When any tube F becomes conductive, the potential of the related carry transfer terminal |26 drops and a negative voltage impulse is transmitted to the input terminal of the next higher order, adding one in that order.

THE EMITTER The operating impulses for the counters of the accumulator are generated by an emitter shown by itself in detail in Fig. '7, and, in relation to the other circuits, in Fig. 8c. In order to utilize the high speed counting potentialitiesof the electronic counter, the impulses are originated by an mediate points Hi8 on voltage dividers les,

electronic emitter comprising a series of electronic tubes interconnected in such a way as to operate in a timed sequence. Fig. 7 shows ten such electronic tubes J9, J8 J|, J0; For reasons which will appear as the description proceeds, these tubes are preferably gaseous tetrodes such as RCA 2050's. The plates of these tubes are connected in multiple to a volt line 138. These cathodes are connected through the coils of individual relays R29, R28 REI, R20 and resistances |39 of .001 megohrn each, to the zero volt line 80. The control grid of the tube Jil is connected through a resistor i0 of .1 megohm to the 92 Volt line 9|, and thereby normally biased to 92 volts. The control grid of each of the other tubes is connected to the approximate mid-point of a voltage divider composed of two .1 meeohm resistors, liil, M2, connected between the cathode of the next tube to the left and the 92 volt line 9|, being thereby biased to approximately 45 volts. Each control grid of the tube .Ie-Ji is also connected through a resistor |233 of .05 megohm, wire |154, relay contacts Reef-R221) in normal position, and a wire |655 to one spring of respective relay contacts R919, Rab RID. The other springs of the latter contacts are connected by a common wire |59 and normally closedV relay contacts Ra, R311), and R395 to the +140 Volt line 8|. The potential of the shield grids of the J tubes is controlled by means to be described presentely so as to be normally the same as the cathode potential. The relays R29-R20 have contacts RZSa-Rfa adapted to shunt their related tubes J 9-J 0, when the relays are energized.

When any tube ofthe J series is red by closure of the related relay contacts R919, etc., upon energization of the corresponding relays R9, etc. (Fig. 8a), upon operation of a key contact e5, which brings the potential of its control grid above the critical point, the cathode potential of that tube rises to about +92 volts, since the voltage drop from plate to cathode of one of these tubes is about 8 volts. lThis raises the potential of the control grid of the next J tube to the right to Zero, causing the latter tube to iire. A condenser of .005 mfd., connected between the said control grid and the zero volt line 80, delays the rise of potential of the control grid to the critical point for a predetermined time interval, approximately, .l5 millisecond, in this case. Accordingly, when a certain J tube is fired, all of the J tubes to the right of it will be red in a uniformly timed sequence.

In order to cause a succession of distinct, square wave, negative voltage impulses to be impressed upon one of the input terminals 95 of the accumulator counters, when a sequence of the J tubes is nred, a series of coupling tubes KS, K8. .Kl is used. These may be twin triodes such as 12SN7s, one-half of each twin triode being coupled to a related tube of the J series. The cathodes of the K tubesr are connected in multiple to the 0 volt line ti. Their grids are connected through grid resistors l? of .5 megohm to inter- |55 extending between the 0 volt line 80 and the 92 volt line Si. The resistances Mie and |50 are .l and .025 megohm, respectively. The K tubes are thereby normally biased well below the cutoif.

. The grids of these tubes are coupled by condensers |5| of .002 mfd. to the cathodes of thtir respective tubes of the J series- The plates of the K tubes are connected in multiple by a lead |52 through an output voltage divider |53, |52 to the The resistances |53 and |54 lare .D rand ,.015 ym'egohm respectively. The impulses for operating the counter are Vtapped off `the output terminal of this 'voltage divider.

`When a K tube becomes conductive, its plate voltage drops to about -l-l'O and the potential of y'the output terminal |55 drops about 25 volts, applying a negative impulse to the input terminal of one of the counters, through a circuit which will be traced presently. vThe time duration oi the individual negative impulses is determined by the time constant of the coupling circuits between the J tubes and the K tubes. rllhis time constant is Vsho-rter than that of the circuits coupling adjacent J tubes, consequently the negative impulses applied'to the input terminal 95 of a counter separated by intervals during which the circuit conditions return to normal. Fig. 9 shows aseduence of potential curves for 'the control grids tof the J tubes. At T9, the Vtube J S is r'e'd `as .described above. Thereupon, 'the 'other 'tubes re at T3, Tl. .'l, T9. Fig. 10 shows the resulting curve of potential of the emitter output terminal |55.

Bloclccicuit.-During reading of numbers into the accumulator, the shield grids of the J tubes are maintained constantly at cathode potential. However, the en itter is also used vin a novel combination with the accumulator counters for reading out the accumulator, land in this operation the shield grids have -a control function. In the novel re deut, a sequence of impulses is initiated nring the J 9 tube, which starts a serios of impulses which'a're employed to electronically beat Vthe triggers of a counter to advance a particular counter or 'the accumulator from its denitive condition to 0. When .the 'counter goes to "0, 'a carry impulse 'is transmitted to a blocking circuit, which causes 'a negative bias to be Vimpressed upon the shield grids of the J tubes, to prevent all those 'which have not yet been fired from firing. rih'e last tube of the emitter to be fired before the blocking bias is imposed represents extraneously of the counter the number which stood within the 'counter upon initiation of read out.

Voltage is supplied to the shield grids or the J tubes as follows: From the zero volt line 8l! (Fig. 8c), through a resistor 35S (upper right) of .01 megohm to a terminal |51 (sce also Fig. '7), thence through a bus wire |58 and individual grid resistors 259 of .l mecohm each, to the shield grids. The terminal |157 (Fig. 8c) is connected to the plate of va tube L, which may be a 2050 gaseous tube having its shi.,-ld grid vand cathode connected to an intermediate point |6| of a voltage divider comprising resistances i552 and H33 of .Q07 .O01 niegohm, respectively, connected between the 0 volt line ii and (through normally closed contacts RSM) the -92 volt cancel bias line 93. An impulse inverter tube M, which vmay be a 6J5, has its plate connected through a voltage divider, composed of resistances ltd and |5 of .US5-and .015 megohm, respectively, to the +140 volt line 3|. A coupling circuit comprising a condenser 55 of .Q1 mid. and a resistance |51 of .l megohm extends from a point |68 of the voltage divider |65, |55 to the 92 volt bias line 9|. The control grid 'of the tube L connected through a grid resistor lll? to a point l'l'l of said coupling circuit. The cathode of the tube M is connected to the zero volt line 89 while the grid is connected through a 'grid resistor |12 of .l inegohm to a vpoint H3 of a coupling circuit eX- tending between the +140 volt line Si and the 0 volt line SB and consisting of 'a resistor |14 of .05

Si l? megohm, a condenser of .01"mfd., :and a resistor Ile of .1 megohm. A point I'l'! on this coupling circuit is connected by a wire |78 to the upper spring of transfer contacts Rfa controlled by a relay R35 'to be referred to later. The tube L is normally non-conducting, while the tube M is normally conducting. When a negative voltage impulse is transmitted over the wire 18 to the grid of tube M, this tube is cut off and the voltage on its plate rises. The control grid of tube L is thereby drawn up to a voltage which will cause the tube L to re, dropping its plate voltage to minus 89 volts. rihrough the wire |58 this voltage Vis impressed upon the shield grids of the J tubes, blocking the firing of any unred tubes of this series and thereby indicating the value of the number standing in the particular counter before read-out was initiated. The readout operation will be further explained in connection with 'an illustrative example presently.

POWER SUPPLY The power supply for the electronic circuits is derived from a conventional source shown in Fig. Sd. Since a number of different voltages have to be supplied, there are several more or less independent sources in the power supply circuit. An alternating current line it?) supplies alternating current through a switch SW2 to the primary winding of a 'transformer iti. Cathode heater current is supplied from two secondary windings itt and |83 to a pair of full wave rectifier tubes |13@ and a single full Wave rectiier tube |85. The tubes ld may be BSs while the tube 55 may be ElrlC. Two other rectifier tubes it are supplied with filament heater current directly from the alternating current source, these tubes being ll'ZZGs. The 140 volt line 8l is tapped orf the mid-point of secondary winding |82 while the 0 Volt line Si) extends to the midpoint of a secondary winding i'l of the transformer |8i, from the terminals of which the circuit is extended through wires E88, |89 to the plates of tubes |84, yand from the laments of these tubes to the terminals of the secondary winding |82.

A iilter across the 140 volt supply is represented by van inductance i9@ and two condensers lQl. A volt supply is tapped oiT an intermediate point 92 of a voltage divider composed of resistances 93, RS4 of .0015 and .005 megohm respectively, extending between the volt line di and the 0 volt line 8e. The l0() volt line extends to the mid-point of the secondary winding i533, thence through the tube 25 to the terminals of the secondary winding l from the mid-point oi which the O volt line extends. The current in this circuit is smoothed by an inductance it and condenser and regulated by a resistor itil. The circuit is normally open at relay -contacts Rieti, the coil of this relay Rill being in the plate circuit oi a tube l 98, for instance an OAflG, forming part oit a time delay circuit. When voltage appears across the 140 volt supply,

vthe starter anode of the tube les iirst takes an approximately G potential. due to its coupling through the condenser tile to the Q volt line and through the 5i) 'megohm resistor 2li!) to the 140 volt line tl. As the condenser charges, the potential of the starter anode of tube Hi8 rises at a certain time rate and fires the tube after a sui-licient delay to protect the emitter supply rectifier tube 85 and to provide an interlock, to be referred to later, for disabling the punch circuits while the electronic units are warming up.

When the relay R15 is energized its contacts R154; complete a holding circuit for it through the resistance 2112. The contacts R151) close the circuit to the 100 volt line, while the contacts R15@ connect the starter anode of the tube through a small resistance 21111l to the volt line.` The -92 volt line extends to the plates of the tubes 136 and from the cathodes of these tubes to the opposite ends of the secondary winding 181, to mid-point of which the 0 volt line is conn nected. A smoothing inductance 2113, condenser 2211 and resistance 205 are also provided for this line, as well as a rheostat 2136 for exact regulation of the bias voltage.

OPERATION Theoperation of the machine will now be explained by showing how a particular problem is carried out on it.

The main switches SW1 (Fig. 861) and SW2 (Fig. 8d) are closed, the former extending direct l current line potential to the bus wire 220 and return wire 221, while the latter starts the power supply. A potential of |140 volts builds up between the line wires 81 and 2S. The condenser 199 (Fig. 8d) begins to charge and, when it reaches about 85 volts above 0 potential, the tube 198 fires, energizing relay R15. The R15a contacts close, holding the relay R15 across the 140 volt line. The R15c contact points close, discharging condenser 182. rlhe R15?) contacts close, applying 191) volts potential to the bus wire 138. Also, -92 volts potential is applied to bus wire 91.

Switch SWBa (Fig. 8a) is manually moved to the upper terminal 222 (the lower terminal 123 is for operating the punch in the normal manner without cross footing). Contacts Rl5d close, closing a circuit from the positive line, through latch contacts 222, switch SW3a, said contacts Rd, and normally closed contacts RISa to the control relay bus wire 225. Relay RIG (Fig. 8b) connected directly between the bus wire 225 and the negative line wire 221, is energized. The contacts Rita (Fig. 8c, middle right) close, extending potential from the +100 volt bus wire 138, through normally closed contacts R3llf to the plates of the J tubes (Fig. 7). Contacts R161) (Fig. '812) close, energizing the relay R11. Contacts R11@ (Fig. 8d) close, extending 92 volts from the bias bus wire 91 to the counter cancel bus wire S3 and through normally closed contacts R331? to the carry cancel bus wire 118. Contacts Ri'ib (Fig. 8a) close, extending positive line potential from contacts R15d (now closed) to the bus Wire 2215. Contacts Rl'ic (Fig. 8b, lower middle) close, preparing a circuit to be referred to later.

In the counters (Figs. 6, 8c and 8d), negative bias potential is applied to the grids of the left hand tubes in each stage, from wire Si, before negative bias potential is applied'to the grids of the right hand tubes of each stage through wire 93 energized by operation of relay R11, as described above. Consequently, the counters start with their right hand tubes conducting, which is the 0 condition. The same is true of the carry triggers E (Figs. 8c and 8d), since the grids of the left hand tubes receive their bias directly from wire ai, while the grids of the right hand tubes are biased through contacts R12-'(1, R381), and wire I 18. 1n the carry operate trigger circuit G, however (Fig. 8d) rst the grid of the right hand tube is biased through wire 91 and normally closed contacts R31a, while the grid of the left hand tube receives its bias later, through wire 93. Hence this particular trigger circuit starts, with the left hand tube Gi conducting. Hence, the right hand tube is not conducting and this causes the tube H to become conductive. The tube M (Fig. 8c) becomes conductive as soon as operative voltage appears across 8! and 81. On the other hand, the control grid of tube L is negatively biased from wire 91 before its cathode is suppliedwith voltage through wire a3. Therefore, this tube is initially non-conductive.

On closure of the contacts R15d supplyng voltage to bus wire 225, as previously mentioned, potential is extended through the control relay bus wire 225 (Fig. 8b), normally closed contacts R39g and R321) and the A coil of relay R38, energizing said relay. Contacts R32a close, extending a circuit from bus wire 225 through said contacts, relay R31, the series of normally closed contacts R2 11o-R200 all closed, since no emitter tube (Fig. 7) is ignited, to the wire 221, energizing R31. Contacts R31@ thereupon close, shunting the contacts RMC-R220. The contacts R315 close, extending a circuit from the bus wire 222 (Fig. 8a), through normally closed contacts FC, bus wire 221 (Fig. 8b), normally closed contacts R351), said contacts R311) and relay R32 to wire 221, energizing R32. Contacts R32a close, holding relay R32 through the FC contacts after R31 is deenergzed.

The other contacts of relays R32 and R31 will be referred to later. Contacts R321) open, dropping out relay R313. The contacts R331; return to their normal open position deenergizing relay R31, so that contacts R311) open. A blank card is now fed from the stack at the right side of the punch to the card feeding mechanism (Figs. l and 3), in the well known manner described, for example, in the above mentioned Lee et al. Patent 1,976 618, page 2, line l5. By means of a high bar skip (see Read Patent 1,962,750, page 4, left line 7) the card is fed directly to that position in which column 52 (Fig. 2) stands under the row of punches IS.

in the Read patent and holds open the contacts FC. The relay R32 is thereupon deenergized, the contacts R321? close, and the relays R32 and R31 pick up again on the control relay bus 225. The contactsv R313) close again preparing a circuit for relay R32, which will be completed as soon as the contacts FC close. This occurs when the card arrives in column 52 position and the skip lifter rides oir a high portion of the skip bar. Contacts R32a then close, completing a holding circuit for the relay R32 through the bus wire 221. Contacts R321) open, dropping out relays R31! and R31. Contacts R32c (Fig. 8c) transfer, connecting, via line 2313 and said contacts, the emitter output terminal 155 to the upper brush 511 of the column readout mechanism. The machine is now ready to begin operation of the keyboard.

Adding.-According to the problem shown in Fig. 2, column 52, the first column of iield A, is to be punched to represent the numeral 4. The number 4 key is operated, closing the number 4 contacts (Fig. 8a) and completing a circuit v:from bus wire 221i, through normally closed contacts R321), bail contacts 58 (Fig. 4), bus bar 223, said number 4 key contacts, wire 29, relay R4, the number 4 punch selector magnet 35, and relay R14 to line wire 221, energizing said relays and said magnet. Contacts Rfia close, completing a holding circuit from bus wire 226, through the floating cam contacts FC now closed, bus wire 221, nor- During this skipping operation thestepping dog it is lifted by the skip lifter described escasas 1'7 mally closed contacts Rliib, bus bar 229, said contacts R4a, relay R4, the #4 magnet 35 and -relay R|4 to wire 22 i. Contacts R4b (Fig. 7) close, corn--l pleting a circuit from the i-140 volt bus wire 8i, through normally closed contacts R361), R3`|b and R33a, bus wire 23), said contacts R427, Wire |45, contacts Re in normal position, resistances |43 and |42, to the 92 volt biasvwire Si. The potential of the control grid of the #4 J tube is raised above the'critical point and this tube -res `The #3, #2, #1, and J tubes then iiredn timed sequence, in the manner previously described. Four negative .voltage impulses are transmitted, as set out below, to the ninth order of the accumulator, as the #4, #3, #2, and #l K -tubes become conductive in succession and applyv four negative voltage waves (see Fig. 10) to the emittenoutput terminal |55. These negative impulses are transmitted from this point through contacts RBZC in transferred position (Fig. 8c), wire 230, bus bar 19, upper brush 64, that one of 'the column con- -tacts 62 for column 52, wire 239 (see also Fig-8d) stage A reverses in the manner -previously described, and leaves the tube A| in a conductive condition and the tube A2 `in a non-conductive condition. A positive impulse `is vapplied vto the .lead =85 when the potential-ofv the'plate of the tube A2 rises to approximately 129 volts, but 'this has no eiect because the trigger circuits do not respond to a positive voltage impulse of about 22 volts.

The second negative impulse .transmitted-from the emitter output point |55, lover the circuit previously described, reverses the stage A trig'.- ger circuit back .to normal condition and produces a negative impulse on the lead 85. This nega tive impulse is not effective to reversethe stage B trigger circuit because the latter is locked by thetube B3, which is conductveat this time. The negative impulse does transfer the stage -D trigger circuit to the left, with the result that a transient high voltage is maintained ou'the grid of tube B3 as previously described, but on discharge of the condenser H3 the potential on the grid of tube B3 is depressed below cut-01T, leaving stage B unlocked.

The third impulse transmitted to the input ter;- minal S5 reverses the stage A trigger circuit .to the left and the fourth impulse reverses it back to the right. This time the negative impulse transmitted through lead '85 and condensers 94 of stage B to the grids 8S of tubes BI and B2 re verses the stage B trigger circuit'to the left. This negative impulse impressed on lead 85 atthis time hasno effect upon'stage D, since the-lead 35 is only coupled to the grid of the right hand tube D2, which is now non-conducting. The condition of the ninth ordercounter (Figeac and 8d) after the four impulses have been transmitted is as follows: A2 is conductive, Bi is conductive, B3 is non-conductive, C2 Ais conductive land D1 is conductive. Thus the counter indicates the number 4, which is the first digit-of thefiirst number to beentered.

The operation of the electroniccircuits -occurs very rapidly. Some time after veach 4of the #4, 3, 2 and 1. J tubes rire, their related relays R24, R23, R22 and .R21 become energized andv 18 close their a contacts completing holding circuits for those relays between the volt line |38 and the (l volt line 83 and shunting out the related J tubes. The b contacts of these relays (Fig. 3a) also transfer, but without effect at this time, while their c contacts (Fig. 8b) open.

When a key is depressed and relay R|4 (Fig. 81a) is energized, as previously described, its con'- tacts Rita (Fig. 3a.) close, completing a circuit from switch SWa, through said contacts, contacts RSic now closed, and relay R33 to line 22|, energizing said relay. Contacts R331; (Fig. 7) open the circuit to the grids of the J tubes, preventing operation of these tubes by accidental or too rapid opera-tion of a second key. Without the contacts RESa, if the second key were operated too soon and were a higher key than the one previously operated, its J tube and the untripped ones to the right of it would be iired and would transmit a corresponding number of additional impulses to the ninth order of the accumulator.

The punch-magnet contacts 38 (Figs. 1 and 8a? are closed by the #4 interposer Il, completing a circuit from bus wire 226, through said contacts and punch magnet 38, to wire 22|, energizing vsaid magnet and causing a hole to be punched in #4 index point of column 52 of the card. As the -escapement mechanism begins to operate, the floating cam-contacts FC open and the holding circuitof relay R32 is broken. This relay becomes deenergized and its R32c contacts (Fig. Sc) transfer, disconnecting the emitter output terminal from the counters to prevent transients occurring during emitter cancellation, which is to follow, from reaching the counters. The R32b contacts (Fig. 8b) close, picking up relay R33 vthrough its A coils. The contacts R351? (Fig. 7)

open to maintain the emitter control circuit inoperative during escapement. Contacts R3c (Fig. 8c) open, breaking the circuit of relay R33, so that it will not be in energized condition when the next punch cycle begins. Contacts R3|f (Fig. 7) open, breaking the plate voltage supply to the J tubes and also the holding circuit for relays R20-RH. The relays R24-R20 are thereby deenergized, and the emitter is thus canceled. Contacts Rla (Fig. 8b) close, preparing a pickup circuit for relay RSI, the completion of which is subject to the series of contacts Rc, R2|c R280, R290 being all closed. When the relay RSia points close a holding circuit for it, its contacts R3|d (Fig. 7) reconnect the plate voltage supply to the plates of the J tubes, and its R351) points (Fig. 8b) prepare a previously traced circuit by which relay R32 will be energized when the FC contacts close in colum 53. When the card carriage arrives in column 53 and the -FC contacts close, energizing relay R32, contacts R32c (Fig. 8c) transfer, again connecting the emitter'outputterminal |55 to the wire 233, which is now connected through the upper brush '64 -w-iththe column contact 'S2 for column 53. The contacts R32?) (Fig. 8b) open, deenergizing relay 'R3!, which allows conta/cts RSa to open, deenergizing relay R31. The deenergiaztion of relay `R38 also allows contacts R3b (Fig. 7) to close, restoring the emitter input circuit to operative condition, while the contacts R33]c close before contacts R3 l d open, maintaining the voltage supply tothe plate of the J tubes. The machineis now ready to respond to operation of the vnext key.

As shown bythe example, this is to be 'the 0 key. 'When itis depressed, relays R3 (Fig. Ba)

- and R|3 and the 0 punch selector magnet are en- ,ergized The contacts Rb (Fig. '1) close, but do fnot aect the emitter. The eighth order counter, therefore, remains in condition. The punch .with the result that an appropriate number of -impulses are transmitted to the order of the accumulator connected to the emitter output terminal at the time.

When the card carriage escapes tol-column 6|,

the first column of eld B, the upper brush 64 ,is again connected to wire 239 leading to the ninth order of the accumulator. The problem indicates that columns 6|, 62 and 63 are to be blank. For each'of these columns the operator depresses the space key. 'I'he resulting closure of the S contacts 55 (Fig. 8a) completes a circuit from bus wire 226, through normally closed contacts R361), the bail contacts 58 now closed, busbar 228, said contacts S, Wire 24|, punch magnet 30 to Wire 22|, energizing the punch magnet. Since no interposer |1 is shifted to the left, the downward movement of the depressor bar |8 of the punch (Fig. 1) has no eiect upon the punches |0, but it does rock the shaft 4| and cause the Vescapement mechanism to operate.

The proper keys are operated in succession to lpunch each column of the middle field B of the card shown in Fig. 2. The values are concurrently added to the Values already in the accumulator, in a manner to be described. In col- .umn 64, for example, the emitter transmits four 4impulses to the sixth order of the accumulator. IIn accordance with the problem, this order of the tinue the progressive operation of the trigger circuits constituting this counter, so that when the fourth additional impulse has been received, stages A and B of the counter are in normal con- -dition while stage C is switched to the left. Stage D remains switched to the left, to which condition it was changedl by the second impulse of the rst number entered.

Now considering column 69, a 4 is to be punched and this 4 is to be added to the 9 already entered in the rst order of the accumulator. This involves a carry operation. When the rst impulse, of the second digit to be added in this order, is transmitted from the emitter output terminal |55 (Fig. 8c) it continues through brush 64, the column contact 62 for column 69, and Wire 23|, to the input terminal 95 of the first order of the accumulator. This order, which stood in 9 condition, passes to normal condition representing a 0. The return of stage D to normal condition causes a negative impulse to be transmitted through the lead ||1, through the right hand coupling condenser 94 of the carry trigger E, to the grid of tube E2. This tube is in conductive condition at this time and the negative impulse, therefore, switches the carry trigger E to the left. The potential on the plate of the tube E2 rises and the potential of the grid of the related tube F is raised accordingly,

20 but not suiciently high to make this tube conductive. The circuit, therefore, stands ready to transmit a carry impulse when the carry operate impulse is received, as described presently.

The second, third, and fourth impulses transmitted in this column advance the rst order counter to a state representing the value 3.

Readout.-When the machine entered the 69th column, lower brush (Fig. 8c) completed the following circuit: from the bus wire 225, through vcontacts R35a in normal position, the lower brush 65, wire 242 (Figs. 8c and 8b), and relay R34 to the line 22|, energizing said relay and initiating preparation of the readout control circuits. Contacts R34a close, preparing a circuit for relay R35 and the pickup coil of relay R36. These relays do not become energized upon closure of contacts R34a because they are shunted by wire 242 through the column 69 contacts 63 to the bus vwire 225. When the machine spaces out of column 69, the shunting circuit just mentioned is -opened when the lower brush 65 leaves the column 69 contact63 and a circuit direct from bus wire 225, through R36P, R35 and R34 becomes effective to energize the relay coils R36P and R35 and to hold the relay coil R34 energized. The

contacts R36a close, completing a holding circuit through the holding coil R35H of relay R36, directly from the line wire 229, through said hold- `ing coil, said contacts R36a, switch SWBb (now closed), resistance 249, to the line wire 22|. Contacts R361) (Fig. 8a) openvthe circuit to the key contacts 55, removing the punch selector magnets and therefore thel emitter from the control of the keys during readout, which is to follow. Congrid resistor |12 to the grid of tube M. Contacts R351) (Fig. 8b) open, preventing the relay R32 from becoming energized when the iioating cam contacts FC close upon arrival of the carriage in column 10. Relays R30 and RSI, which were energized when the card carriage escaped from column 69, therefore remain energized (since R32 is not energized) when the carriage arrives in column 10, contrary to their operation during adding. The emitter was canceled by the opening of contacts R361 (Fig. '7) and was then restored to ready condition by the closure of contacts Rld. Contacts R35c (Fig, 8b) close, completing a circuit from bus Wire 225, through relay R31 to line Wire 22 energizing said relay.

Carry operata-Contacts R31a open (Fig. 8d) starting the carry operate sequence. The potential on the grid of tube G2, when the grid is disconnected from the negative bias wire 9|, rises to a point which renders this tube conductive, thereby switching the trigger G to the right. The grid of tube H being connected to the plate of tube G2, its potential is depressed, cutting off this tube and causing the potential on wire |33 to rise. When this occurs, the tube F pertaining to any counter in which the carry trigger has switched to the left will be rendered conductive, depressing the potential at the related carry output terminal |26 and causing a negative impulse to be transmitted to the next higher order counter through and a carry .impulse .is .thereupon transmitted through :wire ,|21 .from the .second orderto .the third .order counter, .The Aaccumulator .now has stored .in it .the number 94016759.03, -which is .the Sum .of the .two numbers punched in elds A .and B,

The `carry operations .occur with extreme .frapdity in the course of the spacing-of thecarriage :from column t9 to column .20 andare completed before the column readout .brushes .6.4 .and `65 make contact with the column contacts .for V.colf umn .10. When the .relay .R31 .was .energized in the lmanner described, .the contacts Rld (Fig. .812) closed to connect .the relayRSthroughcontacts RBBa in normal position to theoatingcam contact bus .221, whereby .as soon asthe cam contacts close in .co1umn..l,1elay. R38 Abe: comes .energized Its contacts R381; which; as indicated .by the asterisk. are adjusted :to make before break, transfer and hold the relastRA on the control relay bus- 22.5. .Contacts R381: 8d) open, removing .negative bias .potential from wire 1.148 .and canceling all of .the operated carry trig gers E, that is, causing them toswitch back-.to the right, if they have been switched .to the left. The carry operate .trigger remains .switched .to the right and maintains .the preparatory-,potential on the grids of .the F tubes. .ContactsgR38c (Fig. 8b) close, completing a circuit from the bus wire 225, through relay R39 to the line 22| ,energizing -said relay. The points R391; .(Fig. .811) close, restoring the normal bias. potentialon wire I8.

Contacts .R3bwR39e all .change from .their normal position, .preparing yarious circuits which become operative during readout. These wilLbe referred to individually in the .course of the .explanation .of the readout operation. Contacts R399 8b) transfer, holding relay .R30 through normallyclosed contacts .RMaand con-- tacts RSM, now closed. Contacts R391 close .a circuit from bus. wire 225, through contacts 13,301.1 now closed, said contacts R39f, contacts R3|c now closed, relay R32 to line 22|, energizing R32. The contacts R32c l(Fig. 8c) transfer, connecting the emitter output terminal |55 to .the upper brush 64 of the column readout mechanism. Contacts R32d (Fig. 8b) close, completing a circuit from bus wire .225, through contacts R300. contacts H3911. both closedatthis tune...said contacts. R32@ and relay R40 to line ,22|, energizing R40. Contacts R4|ia close, completingan obvious circuit through the coil of relay R4L which becomes energized, Contacts R401: (Figs, 7 andc) close., connecting the +140 volt line 8| to a wire 243 leading to the grid of the #9 tube, initiating the sequential operation of all the J tubesand causing the related K tubes to be rendered .conductive during successive time intervals.

Each-time a K tube becomes conductive, the potential at the emitter output terminal |55 .is depressed and this change of. potential is transmitted through contacts R320 (Fig. 8c) in transferred position, the upper brush 64, the column contact 62 for column A10, wire 244, contactsR42c (Fig. 8a) in normal position to the input terminal of the tenth order counter of the accumulaf tor. The trigger circuits of this counter go through their progressive changes as the impulses are transmitted from the emitter and, since in accordance with the example the tenth order of the accumulator stands at when the read-out begins, all the pulses produced by the emitter .are fed to this counter. While, as described later.

the readfoutof any signicant dig-it in a .counter steps it :to .zero whereupon a .blocking impulse is lproduced which stops the step by .step operation of the tubes .59, J8,etc. J8 (Fig. 7), when a zero stands .in a counter, no such blocking impulse is required .and all -the J 9 to J tubes are operated, the operation of the J Il tube indicating .that -zero stood inthe counter prior to read out.

When alllthe'relays BML-.R29 .(Fig. E?) have become energized, as a result .of .the ringof the relatedJ tubes, they close their a contacts so .that theyare ,held on the +1.00 volt line |38. They also .close theirb contacts (Fig. .80.) and thereby select a circuit .which in this caseiwill cause the 0 punch selector magnet to be energized, as .described presently.

When'the relay RM (Fig. 8b) is energized in the manner described above, the Rdia points open, .deenergizing the relay R30. The contacts R3a open, deenergizing the reiays REZ, .Reti and R4L The contacts Rte (Fig. 8a) close, completing the following circuit: from bus wire 2.2.6, through the floating cam contacts FC (the card .carriage is still in column '10) wire 221, .conF tacts .R39b now closed, said contacts RSe, contacts R45a in normal position, normally closed contacts Rla, the contacts Rmb-Rte all .in transferred position, wires ,59, and :49, relayR, punch selector magnet .0 and relay R|3 vto line 22| .energizing R0 and R|3 and said punch selectordnagnet.

This .initiates .an operation of the punch to perforate the .0 index point position of .column .'l. The interposer pertaining to the D punch selector magnet is shifted and causes the Vcontacts .3B .to close, completing'the circuit of punch magnet 30, which begins .to energize. Meanwhile, the R|3b (Fig. 8b) contacts close when relay R|3 is energiZed, completing a circuit through the oating cam contacts FC, bus wire .221, contacts R3Sc and Rlb now closed, and relay R30, to line 22|, energizing said relay. Contacts R3h (Fig. 8a) close, completing a circuit from the punch contacts 38, through contacts R39d now closed, said contacts R30h, normally closed contacts Rdlb end .RMc and relay R48, to wire 22|, energizing R48. Contacts R48a close, completing a holding circuit for relay R48 from the bus wire 225 and also a parallel holding circuit for the punch magnet, through contacts Rlb, RSh and REM to the .punch magnet 30 and line 22|. This renders the energized condition of the punch magnet independent -of the opening of the floating cam Contacts FC and .consequent deenergization of the punch selector magnet, thus assuring that the punch magnet will remain energized until the Sequence of relays, now to be described, haveco-mplated their functions.

The energization of lrel-ay R30 causes contacts R391e (Fig. .7) .to open, canceling the emitter, and contacts R30g (Fig..8 e) to .open,.deionizing the blockimpulse tube L. Ccntacts.B.2ec-R2eeclose when their relay coils are deenergzed. Contacts R300. (Eig, .812) close, completing the previously traced circuit whereby relay RSI is energized. Contacts .Rid (Fig, '1)l and R3|e (Fig. 8c) close, restoring the emitter andthe block impulse tube L to. ready condition. A circuit also extends through theclosed contacts R3Bc and R|3b (Fig.

8b), wire 241. contacts R4`|c and RdZa, both .in normal position. and relay R42 4to .line 22|, energizingsaid .-relay. The contacts. Rua, which are adjusted to make before break, transferand hold the .relay .R42 :onthe control relay fbus 225.

yContacts R42b (Fig. 8d) transfer, connecting the I (rigs. 8d and 8c) to the upper column contact 62 for column 10.

When relay R30 was energized, contacts R3te (Fig. isa) opened the circuit from wire 221 said contacts Raue and, through the b contacts of relays R28R2| to the relay R0, the punch selector magnet and relay R13. However, these relays and the punch selector magnet remain energized through the holding circuit from contacts FC, -wire 221, through normally closed contacts Rl=8b, bus bar 229, and contacts Ra.

When relay RSI was energized as described above. contacts R310 (Fig. 8b) closed, completing a circuit from the control relay bus 225, through contacts R30a, R39f, R3lc, and relay R32 to line 22|, energizing said relay. Contacts R320 transfer, connecting the output terminal |55 of the emitter to the upper brush 64 of the column readout mechanism. Contacts R32a (Fig. 8b) close, completing a previously traced circuit which in turn causes the energization of the relay R40. Contacts R4b (Fig. 7) close, extending the potential of the +140 volt line 3|, through wire 243 and the resistor |43 to the grid of the #9 J tube and startinga new sequence of operations of the J tubes. The carriage is still in column 10 position but the b and c contacts of relay R42 (Fig. 8d) have transferred so that the emitter output terminal is now connected via contacts R42c, to the input terminal 95 of the ninth order of the accumulator, while the carry wire |21 from the ninth order has been connected through contacts R421) and wire 245, lower brush 65 of the column readout mechanism, contacts R35a in transferred position, and wire |18 to the input terminal l|11 of the block impulse tube circuit.

Therefore, the impulses iroin the emitter at this time read out the ninth order accumulator, which contains a setting representing the digit 4. Thus, alter six impulses a carry impulse from the ninth order counter transfers the carry trigger E in this order and since the F tube is conditioned by the carry operate means all during read out this causes a negative impulse to be transmitted from the F tube, through wire |21 and the circuit just traced to the input terminal |11 (Fig. 8c), a coupling condenser |15 and grid resistor |12 to the grid of the tube M. The potential on this grid is thereby lowered to the point where the tube becomes non-conductive and its plate potential rises to approximately +140 v., transmitting a positive pulse through coupling condenser |66 and grid resistor |10 to the grid of tube L, rendering it conductive. The potential of the plate of tube L drops and this drop has the function of a blocking impulse which is thereupon transmitted from tube L Via line |58 (Fig. 7) to the shield grids of the J tubes, preventing the further sequential firing of these tubes. At this time only the #9-4 J tubes have red. Their relays R29-R24 become energized, the a contacts of these relays close and hold them on wire |38, their c contacts (Fig. 8b) open the .pickup circuit for relay R3 I, and their b contacts (Fig. 8a) transfer.

When relay R40 (Fig. 8b) was energized, its

contacts R40a closed, picking up relay R4Ll may occur either before or after the floating cam contacts FC are opened by the operation of the punch magnet, aeenergizing the B coil of the relay R30. when oooh coils of tne relay R30 have been deenergized, the contacts Rue (rig. 8a) close, but since the contacts FC are open at this time tne circuit through the relay contacts Rzb--R24b, transferred by the reading out of the ninth order 0i' the accumulator, is not yet completed. The contacts Rua (Fig. 8b) open, deen'erglzing relays R31, R32, R40 and R4L vWhen the card carriage arrives in column 1| and the floating cam contacts FC close, a circuit is completed through said contacts, bus wire 221, contacts R330 (Fig. ea), Rue, Rata, in normal position, R41a, contacts R28bR24b in trans-y ferred position, the related wires 59 and 49, relay R4, punch selector magnet 4, relay R|4 to wire 22|, energizing said relays and said punch selector magnet.

This initiates an operation of the punch to perforate the #4 index point position of column 1|. Contacts R|4b (Fig. 80) close and pick up relay R30, which sets in motion a new sequence of operations of the relays and starts the emitter for readingout the eighth orderof the accumulator. The card carriage being at this time in column 1|, the output impulses from the emitter 4pass through contacts R320 (Fig. c) in transferred position, wire 230, upper brush 64, column contact 52 pertaining to column 1 I, Wire 238 to the input terminal of the eighth order ofthe accumulator, the wire 238 being broken off and .the eighth order of the accumulator not being shown in the drawing. 'I'lie carry impulse from the eighth order of the accumulator is transmitted through carry wire |21 from the eighth order of the accumulator (Fig. 8d), contacts R420 in transferred position, Wire 244 to the upper column contacts 62 of column 10, Wire 248 to lower column contact 63 of column 1|, brush 65, contacts R'a in transferred position, wire |18, coupling condensei' |15, through resistor |12 Vto the grid of tube M, causing the block impulse to be impressed upon the shield grids of the J tubes. In accordance with the example, no block impulse is required and all of the J tubes have been ni'ed; consequently, the contacts R28b--R20b all transfer and prepare a circuit to the 0 punch selector magnet 35. The 0 index point position of column 12 is subsequently perforated in the manner previously described for columns 10 and 1|. The successive orders of the accumulator are read out in the same way and the digits 1, 6, 7, 5, 9, 0 and 3 are successively punched in columns 13-39. Field C then has been perforated to represent the sum of the numbers in fields A and B, namely 0,401,675,903. f

when the #3 index point position is punched in column 19, the card is fed to column position. This initiates a series of operations in which the finished card is ejected and a new card is automatically fed from the supply stack at the right side of the punch. This standard duplicating punch operation and the structure whereby the card ejection and card feed from the supply stack are accomplished have not been shown. Instead, reference will be made to the circuit diagram and to the Lee et al. Patent 1,976,618.

When the card carriage enters the 80th column position, the last column contacts 250 (Fig. 8b) are automatically closed (see Fig. 11 of said patent, contacts 19| This completes a circuit from wire 220,-through said contacts and through 

